Simi Valley, CA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- Ordinance 1048, effective November 27, 2003
- Bank/ATM buffer
- 15 feet during business hours
- Transit ban
- Any bus, bus station, or stop
- Posted property
- Owner request or sign bars solicitation
- Protected activity
- Picketing, protest expressly excluded
Summary
Simi Valley Municipal Code Section 5-39.03 makes it unlawful to solicit money, goods, or services in an "aggressive manner," inside any bus or at a bus stop, within 15 feet of a bank, ATM, or check-cashing business, or on private property once the owner has said no or posted a no-soliciting sign.
It is unlawful for any person to solicit money or other things of value, or to solicit the sale of goods or services: (a)In an aggressive manner in a public area or on private property on which the owner permits solicitation to occur;(b)In any public transportation vehicle, or bus station or stop;(c)Within fifteen (15′) feet to any entrance or exit of any bank or check cashing businesses or within fifteen feet of any automated teller machine during the hours of operation of such bank, automated teller machine or check cashing business without the consent of the owner or other person legally in possession of such facilities. ... (d)On private property if the owner, tenant, or lawful occupant has asked the person not to solicit on the property, or has posted signs clearly indicating that solicitations are not welcome on the property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 39's aggressive-solicitation law was adopted by Ordinance 1048 in 2003 under the City's police power and Penal Code Section 647(c), after the Council found that aggressive panhandling was "extremely disturbing" and driving people away from public places. 02(b) defines "aggressive manner" around specific conduct: intentionally touching the person being solicited without consent; following them in a way likely to cause fear of imminent harm or intended to pressure a yes; continuing to solicit after a clear refusal in a way meant to intimidate; intentionally blocking a pedestrian's or driver's path or forcing evasive action; using obscene or abusive language or gestures meant to frighten or pressure; or approaching in a manner likely to cause fear of imminent bodily harm.
03 then bans that aggressive-manner conduct in any public area or on private property where the owner allows solicitation, and separately bans any solicitation, aggressive or not, inside a bus or at a bus stop, within 15 feet of a bank, check-cashing business, or ATM entrance during its operating hours, and on private property once the owner, tenant, or lawful occupant has told the person not to solicit or posted a sign to that effect. 02(b)(4) separately exempts activity "authorized as an exercise of one's constitutional right to picket or legally protest" from counting as obstruction.
Violations & Fines
Section 5-39.03 doesn't carry its own penalty clause, so a citation for violating it is written and prosecuted the same way as other Title 5 public-conduct offenses, through Simi Valley Police Department enforcement in the field. The 15-foot bank and ATM buffer, the bus and bus-stop ban, and the posted-property rule under subsection (d) apply regardless of whether the solicitor's conduct meets the "aggressive manner" definition in Section 5-39.02(b); only subsection (a)'s general public-area ban requires that showing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as 'aggressive manner' solicitation in Simi Valley?
Is all panhandling near a bank illegal, even if it's polite?
Can a business owner legally refuse solicitation on their private property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Simi Valley
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